The Education Directorate is marking National Volunteer Week this week (16 to 22 May) by calling for more parents and carers to lend a hand at the Territory’s schools.
Issuing the call, the Directorate said school Parents and Citizens (P&C) Associations were one way that volunteers could give back to their local school.
“P&Cs can help to foster a sense of community, build friendships between members and fundraise for their school,” the Directorate said.
It said many P&Cs were excited to be back at their schools now that COVID-19 restrictions had eased.
“Rhodina Ellison has been president of Namadgi School’s P&C Association since 2017, and a volunteering member before that,” it said.
“She enjoys volunteering her time and being able to give back to her school community.”
Ms Ellison said her favourite thing about volunteering on the P&C Association was seeing the enjoyment that kids got out of the events that the Association held.
“We have some families and students from our lower years who may not know who their P&C [Association] is because we haven’t been able to interact or hold events, so we’re looking forward to engaging with the families of our younger students more,” she said.
“There are lots of things people can take part in, and lots of value in spending time with your school community.
“My children benefit from my involvement and can see that I’m interested in their education and learning.”
Ms Ellison said some of the most popular P&C Association events at the school included the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls, school discos and games nights for older students.
The Directorate said parents and carers who were interested in volunteering should contact their children’s schools directly for information on how to get started.
